how do you keep them under control?

[jtacher51]

I've posted a similar thread to this a couple of times on other boards, but I haven't found a good soloution yet.

I have a 3 different types of polyps in my tank, they were all hitchhikers on LR i have bought....It seems now that the brown polyps would like to colonize the entire tank!!!!

Its only a 16 gal tank....every where I look I see new buds.... is there any way to keep them under control? I want to add more corals to my tank, but they are hogging the availeable room.


I see pictures of beautiful tanks with polyps and it seems like they are content to stay on the rock they were on....what can I do???

 

[Testhead1313]

By polyps, what exactly are you referring to? Do they look like this?
Aiptasia

Majano

Palythoa

Zoanthus

The first two are pest anemones that will quickly overwhelm a tank. Joe's Juice, kalk paste, and peppermint shrimp may eliminate them. They will pop up randomly around the tank. The second two are "button polyps" and zoathids, respectively. These will usually only grow in clumps or patches, so my best guess would be you have one of the first two. Let me know if any of these look similar.
Chris

 

[jtacher51]

They are definately button polyps. I have the sunfire (orange center with yellow), green centered like the third picture, and completely brown polyps. It is these brown ones who are larger then button polyps but do not look like aptasia.

 

[Testhead1313]

Good to hear they're not aiptasia or majano. To control the brown polyps, just frag them by peeling the mat off the rocks. You can then just superglue them to a piece of rubble and trade with local reefers. Good luck!
Chris

 

[jtacher51]

each polyp is attached to the rock...when I try to remove one I end up mutilating the polyp...I hate to do that.


do people out there actually WANT brown polyps??